Thursday, September 20, 2012

DIY Ruffled Tote

5 5 inch strips of fabric (the length should be about twice as wide as the bag)

(can be all same, or variety of coordinating fabrics)

3-4 extra scraps of long fabric (for roses)

8 X 8" piece of coordinating fabric cut out

Sewing machine

Glue gun

First, take your 5, 5inch strips of fabric and top stitch around all 4 sides.

Next, you will make the ruffles. Using durable, thick thread, and using the loosest stitch on your machine, make a straight stitch down the length of each strip about a half inch from the top. Do not reinforce edges.

When you get to the end, cut the thread to where you have a lot of thread still hanging off the end of the strip of fabric.

To create the ruffle you will pull just one of the pieces of thread on each side and pull. You will need to work the ruffle down toward the center.

If you'd like to add a pocket, this is the time.

Top stitch the square piece of fabric first, then using a zigzag stitch, sew the pocket onto the back of the tote.

Once you've done this for all 5 pieces, lay them out on your tote how you'd like them arranged.

I tried sewing these on at first, and it was a disaster.

I then hot glued them, and it worked great.

Starting with the bottom ruffle, slowly make a line of hot glue and press down your ruffle.

About Me

I'm a Christian wife and mama to a beautiful baby boy.
I'm a "mostly home" mom, teaching part time. I love decorating and caring for my home, all things baby, sewing, baking and creating. All while on a budget.
My husband and I had been trying to start a family, resulting in 3 losses. After Recurrent Pregnancy Loss testing we got pregnant using Femara and Prometrium and had our miracle baby boy in February 2012. He is now 3 years old and so full of life. We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy little boy.
We followed the same treatment and were blessed with a sweet baby girl, Emery in May of 2015.
We are really enjoying our family of four!
So really, I try to live my life to the fullest and to God's glory as best as I can- with style.